Ohi Day is celebrated in Greece every year on October 28th. It commemorates a very important moment in Greek history during World War II.
On the morning of October 28, 1940, the Italian ambassador in Athens, representing Benito Mussolini, delivered an ultimatum to the Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas. The demand was that Greece should allow Italian troops to enter and occupy strategic locations in the country. Metaxas firmly refused, saying the famous word “Ohi!”, which means “No!” in Greek.
Only a few hours later, the Italian army invaded Greece from the border with Albania. However, the Greek army resisted bravely and managed to push the invaders back into Albania. This victory gave hope to many European nations that were also fighting against fascism and tyranny. Although Greece was later occupied by the Axis powers, the courage and determination of the Greek people became a symbol of freedom and national pride.
Ohi Day is both a national holiday and a day of remembrance. Across Greece, there are military and student parades, flag-raising ceremonies, and school performances. People proudly display the Greek flag, sing patriotic songs, and honor the heroes who fought for independence and dignity.
At our school in Athens, we also celebrated Ohi Day with great enthusiasm. Our director, mr. Kostas, informed our students about the events of 1940. We gathered all the studnts, the teachers and the staff in our beautiful yard – since the weather in Athens was so sunny and amazing- and we discussed about the national day, the customs in Greece and we listened traditional -for the day- songs.
Through these activities, our students not only practice the Greek language but also learn about an important part of Greek history and culture. It is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to feel connected to Greece and to understand the deeper meaning of saying “No” to injustice and oppression.
